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| Karnataka Heritage |
| Featured Destinations of South India : |
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Nowhere else in India can you find such a profusion of monuments as in Karnataka. No wonder, Karnataka has been called the "Cradle of Stone Architecture". The magnificent world heritage sites at Hampi and Pattadakkal, the exquisite temples at Belur, Halebidu, and Somnathpur, the cave temples of Badami and Aihole and the stately Forts, Domes and minarets of Bijapur resurrect the state's history and cultural affluence. These peerless wonders are eloquent reminders of a rich heritage |
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Hampi |
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Hampi was the capital city of the powerful south Indian Vijayanagar Empire . Founded by Harihara And Bukka in 1336, it fell to the Muslim rulers of north India in 1565 after the disastrous battle of Talikota and subsequently lapsed into decline and abandonment // More // |
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Badami |
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Picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills, the exquisite sculptures and the rust red sandstone cliffs of Badami tell many a tale of yore // More // |
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Pattadakal |
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With its beautifully chiselled temples, this World Heritage Site on the banks of the Malaprabha river bears testimony to the richness of Chalukyan architecture // More // |
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Aihole |
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A tranquil village on the banks of the Malaprabha river, Aihole is acclaimed as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture
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Mysore |
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All roads in Mysore lead to the Mysore Palace. Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches, and colonnades, the palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. // More // |
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Belur |
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On the banks of the Yagachi river in Belur, a star-shaped temple with hand lathe-turned filigreed pillars and sculptures will take your breath away. It is the only Hoysala temple still in active worship // More // |
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Helebeedu |
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Just 17km away from Belur is Halebeedu, the ancient capital of the Hoysalas. The temple, perched on a star-shaped base amidst lawns, is a sculptural extravaganza // More // |
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Lakkundi |
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12km southeast of Gadag is the modest village of Lakkundi. Here, scattered among the tiny houses and dusty lanes are 50 stunning temples and 29 inscriptions dating back to the Kalyana Chalukya period. The most ornate and spectacular of these is the Kashi Vishwanatha Temple. The Jain Temple dedicated to Mahavira is one of the largest and oldest shrines here. Lakkundi is also noted for its steep wells, artistically built with small, canopied niches inside the walls of several wells that enshrine lingas. The Archaeological Survey of India also maintains a sculpture gallery here. |
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Kittur Chennamma Fort |
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Located on the Pune-Bangalore highway about 50km from Belgaum and 32km from Dharwad, the tiny town of Kittur with its dilapidated palace, monuments, statues and horse tongas (rickshaws) evokes the glories of a bygone era. The fort stands as testimony to the great freedom struggle led by Rani Chennamma |
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Chitradurga Fort |
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Chitradurga, on the highway linking Bangalore with Hospet, is famed for its massive Kallina Kote (Palace of Stone) fort, a marvel of military architecture made impregnable by the Nayak Palegars. It has 19 gateways, 38 posterior entrances, a palace, a mosque, granaries, oil pits, four secret entrances, and water tanks. Amidst rocky surroundings inside the fort complex on the hill are many temples. Ekanatha Temple and Chandravalli Caves are worth visiting. The Hidimbeshwara Temple is the oldest temple on the site. Other places of tourist interest in Chitradurga district are Brahmagiri, Vanivalas Sagar, Nayakanakatte, Jogimatti, and Jattinga, Rameswara |
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Bijapur |
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The one-time capital of the Adil Shahi kings (1489-1686) is dotted with mosques, mausoleums, palaces, fortifications, watchtowers, and strong gateways, with the massive Gol Gumbaz dominating the landscape for miles around. Also here you'll find the famed hand-made sarees of llkal. |
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Gulbarga |
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Gulbarga, the largest district in Karnataka, is a land where the past melds with the present. This historically rich region of the Deccan has been part of a number of kingdoms, prominent among which are the Rashtrakutas and the Bahamanis. A treasure home of architectural delights, Gulbarga is justly famous for the grandeur of the many Indo-Saracenic monuments that dot the landscape. Making it a destination that takes one back through the pages of history |
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Bidar |
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Bidar is the northern most district of Karnataka. Medieval Bidar was widely renowned for its splendour, as a seat of learning, cultural marvels and as a capital city. Bidar is situated almost in the centre of geographical ‘Deccan’ and on the eastern border of the historical ‘Deccan’. It was a meeting place of several shades of culture from the very beginning |
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The history of Bidar has a lot of ups and downs and stories of treachery and bloodbath, but was also marked by good administration and development of art, architecture and literature |
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The historical monuments and sites in and around Bidar city belong to different periods of history -
pre-Kakatiya, Tughluq, Bahamani, Barid Shahi, Adil Shahi, Mughal and Nizami. As far the architecture
is concerned, there is an intermixture of Hindu, Turkish and Persian artisanship. Some of the designs
and decorative patterns seen in the monuments of Bidar are unique in India |
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Srirangapatna |
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The island fortress of the legendary warrior king Tipu Sultan is just 16km from Mysore city. Inside the fortress is Tipu's mosque with its twin minarets, the celebrated Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Tipu's Summer Palace, the Wellesley Bridge, and the dungeons where British officers were once imprisoned. Equally impressive is the ornate white-domed Gumbaz, an imposing structure with doors of ebony inlaid with ivory and lacquered with Tipu's tiger-striped emblem. About 1km to the east of the fort is Tipu's Summer Palace (known as the Daria Daulat Bagh) set amidst a lovely garden |
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Somnathpur |
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Situated in the unobtrusive village of Somnathpur, 35km from Mysore, the exquisitely carved, star-shaped temple with triple towers is a perfect example of Hoysala architecture. The friezes on its outer walls with their intricately carved rows of caparisoned elephants, charging horsemen, and mythological birds and beasts will leave you spellbound. Beautifully sculpted images of gods, goddesses, and scenes from the epics, as well as the remarkably ornate ceilings in the pillared hall will take your breath away |
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Bangalore Palace |
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Modelled on the lines of the Windsor Castle, the Bangalore Palace flaunts turreted parapets, battlements, fortified towers, and arches. Entry to the palace is restricted. // More // |
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Tipu's Fort and Palace |
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A visit to Tipu's Fort is an enriching experience. Built in 1791, this summer retreat of Tipu Sultan in Bangalore is a two-storied ornate wooden structure with fluted pillars, cusped arches and balconies. It now houses a museum, which contains artefacts relating to the Hyder-Tipu regime |
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Bellary Fort |
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Bellary Fort Built a top the Ballary Gudda or Fort Hill, during Vijayanagar times by Hanumappa Nayaka . Hyder Ali took possession from the Nayaka 's in 1769 , got the fort renovated . and modified with the help of French engineer. Legend has it that the engineer was hanged , for over looking the fact that the neighboring Kumbra Gudda was taller than Bellary Gudda , thus compromising the secrecy and command of the fort . His grave is believed to be located near the East Gate of the fort , though some locals believe it to be the grave of some Muslim holly man . Recently the fort has been illuminated on a 2 km stretch , using 188 special light and supported by separate sub station Visit the illuminated fort in the evening and watch the past come alive |
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Adi Chunchanagiri |
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The seat of the Swami of the Vokkaliga community, this small town is a noted center of Bhairva Worship . The main attraction here is the gangadeshwara Temple , Which attracts pilgrims in thousands during the annual Jatra and the Peacock Sanctuary . |
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Ikkeri |
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Once the second capital of the Kelladi Nayakas, Ikkeri’s Aghoreshwara Temple is all that remains of the kingdom here. A beautifully proportioned stone structure, the temple displays an interesting combination of Hoysala & Vijayanagara architecture. The original image of Aghoreshwara with 32 hands has been lost and a ‘linga’ has been installed for worship. The complex also has an artistic Nandi and a Parvathi shrine with fine relief sculptures |
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Keladi |
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Kelladi the first capital of the Kelladi Nayakas, is famed for its three temples dedicated to Rameshwara,Veerabhadra and Parvathi. The temples are built in a mix of Hoysala and Vijayanagara styles, with the Veerabhadra Temple being the largest and most decorative one. The Parvathi Temple has an attractive frontal mantap and ceilings adorned with wood carvings. A museum close by is a treasure house of manuscripts, miniature paintings and other artifacts of the Kelladi period. Kelladi is also home to a Jain Basadi and a Veerashaiva Math |
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Inorder to savour the natural beauty of South India, we have designed the following tour packages for the discerning travellers |
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